Lactose Intolerant?
Author: David Exon

Do you know anyway who can’t consume milk or milk-based products? The condition is not uncommon and these people are classified as lactose intolerant.

Lactose is the main carbohydrate or sugar found in milk, and in varying quantities in dairy products made from milk including yoghurt, ice cream, soft cheeses and butter. Lactose (milk sugar) intolerance results from an inability to digest lactose in the small intestine.

Back in the cave-days, the only time a person would ever ingest lactose would be when they were infants getting milk from their mothers. During their adult lives milk was never consumed. Only with the invention of agriculture has milk become readily available to adults. Lactose is unique in that only in milk does it exist as a free form, unattached to other molecules.

WHAT CAUSES LACTOSE INTOLERANCE?
Lactose is digested in the small intestine by an enzyme called lactase. This enzyme allows the body to break down the lactose into two simple sugars, glucose and galactose. These are quickly absorbed by the intestine and provide energy for the body. The level of the lactase enzyme varies between individuals, as does the severity of symptoms caused by lactose intolerance.

WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS OF LACTOSE INTOLERANCE?
Symptoms range from mild abdominal discomfort, bloating and excessive wind to severe abdominal cramps and diarrhea.

SUBSTITUTES FOR LACTOSE-CONTAINING FOODS
Lactose intolerance generally isn’t serious and can be controlled by some simple changes in your diet. They dietary changes for lactose intolerance should include the exclusion of those foods highest in lactose. There is now a wide range of fresh soy milks, yoghurts and ice creams which are lactose free and calcium enriched. Many dairy foods actually have little or no lactose so you can continue to enjoy them.

THE POWER OF SOY PROTEIN
Soy-based products are on the rise for very healthy reasons. The humble soybean boasts some extraordinary benefits. Lactose-free, soy protein is a “complete protein” which contains all 9 essential amino acids in the right balance to meet your body’s needs. Soy protein is the only plant protein that is complete. This makes it a great substitute for many meats, allowing you to eliminate more saturated fat and cholesterol from your diet. While soybeans have much more to offer from a protein perspective, it is because they contain so many nutrients, such as isoflavones, that they are now the centre of so much attention. Soy protein enhances the body’s ability to retain and better absorb calcium into the bones. Soy isoflavones help by slowing bone loss and inhibiting bone breakdown.

LACTOSE-FREE FORMULA 1
The super soy bean is at the heart of Herbalife’s Formula 1 and Thermojetics Protein Powder. Those with lactose intolerance can mix Formula 1 and Protein Powder with water, soy milk or fruit juice rather than skim milk, confident they are still getting all the nutrients they would normally get from milk, and then some, without the risk of lactose symptoms.

IDEAL MEAL- SHAKES
Chocolate Strawberry. Peach Almond. Café Mocha. You can enjoy delicious shakes like these and still lose weight. Formula 1 Nutritional Shake Mix includes heart smart soy protein and essential vitamins and minerals- all in one delicious meal! This recipe delivers at least 29 grams of protein. The combination of protein and fruit in shakes makes them more filling to help keep you satisfied and your cravings at bay. Replacing two meals with two shakes a day will help you lose weight. Or, you can replace just one meal a day to maintain your weight.

STRAWBERRY PARFAIT
INGREDIENTS:
29 grams French Vanilla Formula 1 Shake Mix
18 grams Formula 3 Protein Powder
170 gram carton strawberry-flavored fat-free soy yoghurt
1 cup strawberries
4 ice cubes

DIRECTIONS:
Place all ingredients in the blender and mix thoroughly until all the ice cubes are completely crushed. Ice cubes are optional.

Note: For a less pudding-like consistency, add ¼ cup nonfat soy milk and protein powder in the blender first, then add other ingredients and continue blending.

Nutritional Analysis
Calories: 240
Protein: 29 grams
Fat: 0.5 grams
Carbohydrates: 38 grams


Contributed by David Exon, Nutritional Consultant, who has many more inspiring diet tips, diet blog, health articles and motivation resources on his website
http://www.beautiful-body-ideal-weight.com

Article reprint requirements:
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publications in it's entirety in an Ezine, blog or web site.
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our written consent.
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byline with an active link back to our web site.







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Contributed by David Exon, Nutritional Consultant, who has many more inspiring diet tips, diet blog, health articles and motivation resources on his website http://www.beautiful-body-ideal-weight.com

Article reprint requirements:
. You may reprint this article, electronically in free-only publications in it's entirety in an Ezine, blog or web site.
. You may not use this article for commercial purposes without our written consent.
. You may not use this article in Unsolicited Commercial Email.
. Whenever this article is used, it must include the authors byline with an active link back to our web site.

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